Taiwan and the 'Status Quo'

February 17, 2004

To the Editor:

Many, including President Bush, oppose Taiwan's proposed referendum
on relations with China on the ground that it may alter "the
status quo" and risk a conflict with China (news article, Feb.
12). But tensions rise largely because each side asserts its own
version of the status quo.

China interprets the status quo to mean that there is only one China
and that Beijing has sovereignty over Taiwan. Deploying missiles
against a "renegade province" is an exercise of "sovereign
right."

For Taiwan, the status quo means that Taiwan is already an
independent nation that has never been ruled by the People's Republic
of China. The referendum serves to express the popular will and deepen
Taiwan's democracy. It has nothing to do with declaring "independence"
it already possesses.

The United States seeks to perpetuate a "status quo"
brokered with Beijing more than 30 years ago without Taiwan's input.
True stability calls for an update that takes into account Taiwan's
democratic development.

VINCENT WEI-CHENG WANG

Richmond, Va., Feb. 12, 2004

The writer is an associate professor of political science,
University of Richmond.